A Thriller That Was Passed By Steven Spielberg 31 Year Ago Takes Over Netflix

Thanks to Netflix 's content rotation system, viewers get to see new shows and movies added to the platform every month. If there's a system behind the chaos of how these movies are selected, we've yet to crack it. It doesn't have to be a smash hit or a timeless classic, because Netflix gives every story a chance.

Maybe that's the right decision, because it's almost impossible to predict what viewers will get. Up against Baby Driver and Split, The Little Things shouldn't have had a chance to rise to the top, and yet it did.

Is The Little Things Worth Watching?

Set in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, The Little Things immediately draws viewers in with its neo-noir vibe and gorgeous scenery. Those who go to the movie to enjoy the performances of the star-studded cast will immediately get what they are looking for, but those who are looking for a twisted storyline and an exciting thriller will be disappointed.

The movie tells the story of two detectives who have to work on several murder cases to find the killer and bring him to justice. Portrayed by Denzel Washington and Rami Malek, they eventually come face to face with a strange man, played by Jared Leto, who may be behind the atrocities that have the city in fear.

The film has a long production history, as it was originally written by John Lee Hancock in 1993 for Steven Spielberg to direct, but was passed over because the script was far too dark. After trying to make a deal with Clint Eastwood, Warren Beatty and Danny DeVito, Hancock decided to direct The Little Things himself.

Despite having so many talented actors in one movie, The Little Things failed to impress critics, who gave it a 45% score on Rotten Tomatoes. As we know, critics' opinions aren't always perfectly in sync with those of the audience, and the case of The Little Things proves this point, as casual viewers gave the film much better reviews, with a 67% approval rating.

In theaters, the film also failed to draw audiences to the big screen. After spending $30 million on production, the movie ended up making $31 million at the box office, which did not even cover marketing and distribution costs, let alone taxes. Now the film is given a second chance through streaming.

If you are willing to give the crime thriller a try and make up your own mind, be sure to stream The Little Things on Netflix.